Tray.



7 No. 896,185. PATENTED AUG. 18, 1908.

L A. WINGHELL. TRAY.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 7,1907.

Elvwewtoz UNITED STATES PATENT i LILBOURNE A. WINOHELL, OF TOLLHOUSE, CALIFORNIA.

TRAY.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LILBOURNEAIWIN- CHELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Tollhouse, in the county of Fresno and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Trays, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to improvements in trays, for use in drying fruit and the like and its object is to provide a device of this character which may be produced at a small cost and which will be convenient and effective for the purpose intended.

WVith the above and other objects in view the invention consists in the novel construction and the combination of parts hereinafter described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved drying tray or pallet; Figs. 2 and 3 are longitudinal and transverse sectional views through the same, and Figs. 4 and 5 are perspective views of the two members or sections of the device.

My improved drying tray'or pallet consists of telescoping outer and inner frame sections or members 1, 2 and an interposed supporting layer or sheet 3. The two frame sections are preferably similar in construction, the inner one 2 being smaller and adapted to telescope within the outer one 1, and each of them consists of two longitudinal side pieces 4 connected by transverse or cross pieces 5 preferably arranged in parallel relation and at equal distances apart, as shown. While these frame members are preferably constructed of wood, they may e made of any other suitable material and they may be of other form and construction than that illustrated. Any number of the cross pieces or slats 5 may be provided and they may be secured to the side pieces or bars 4 by nails 6 or in any other suitable manner.

The. interposed supporting sheet or layer 3 may be constructed of card-board, textile fabric or any other suitable material which will serve to support the grapes or other fruit to be dried upon the tray, and it may be of the same size as the inner frame, or of any other suitable size to be clamped securely by both the side bars, or cleats, and the transverse strips. The two frame sections 1, 2 are preferably held together by Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed August 7, 1907.

Patented Aug. 18, 190s.- Serial No. 337,535.

frictional contact and when the sheet or layer 3 is of the same or less size than the innerframe, the longitudinal side pieces 4 of the two sections must frictionallyengage each other so asto hold them together and thereby cause the slats 5 to hold the sheet or layer between them; but when the sheet or layer 3 is of greater size than the inner frame or section, its side edges will enter between the side pieces or bars 4 of the two frame sections and said sheet or layer will thusbe effectively clamped by both the side bars and the transverse slats and, at the same'time, the said bars will be caused to be more effectively clamped together. If desired I may also employ removable transverse pins 7 for securing the two frame sections together. I

frame sections 1, 2 and to the fact that they will clamp the sheet or layer 3 between them in a stretched condition, the device provides a very effective tray for the purpose intended and one which may be produced at an exceedingly small cos It will be noted that the tray is strong and durable and that it is economical, since the sheet or layer 3 maybe readily replaced by a new one when it is worn out or damaged.

. Having thus described my invention what I claim is: v I

1. A drying tray of the character described, comprising a supporting sheet or layer and inner and outer, separable, telescopically engaged frame sections adapted to receive and clamp said supporting sheet or layer between them and each being of rectangular form and consisting of parallel side bars united by cross slats, the inner section being of less width than the-outer one to permit 1t to telescope within the latter, and to be frictionally retained therein to clamp the supporting sheet or layer'between the slats of the two sections, substantially as set forth.

2. A drying tray of the character. described, comprising a supporting sheet or layer and inner andouter, separable, telescopically engaged frame sections adapted to receiye and-clamp said supporting sheet or layer between them and each being of recbeing of lesswidth than the outer one to per-.

.rnit it to telescope within the latter, and

transverse fastening pins passed through the l side bars of the two sections to fasten them together and retain the supporting sheet or.

layer between their slats, substantially as set forth. I I i 3. Theherein described drying tray comprising a supporting sheet or layer and outer and inner similar telescopically engaged frame sections, the outer section consisting of side bars and cross slats, thelatter being their edges, the inner frame section being ada ted to be inserted in the outer one with its s ats turned inwardly to engage one face 1 l of the supportingsheet or layer and pressthe v latter against the slatsv of the outer section,- the slats of the two sections being adapted to register, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses. LILBOURNE A. WINOHELL; Witnesses: 1

JOHN W. HUMPHREYs, ALVIN C. ABBOTT. 

